If you walk past Le Voyeur on a Wednesday night, there are a few different ways you might be compelled to come in. You could be drawn to the diverse crowd of people laughing outside, the free price, or by people outside urging you to check out some free stand up comedy.
Vomity is an Open Mic stand up comedy at Le Voyeur every Wednesday night. It is a place to hear all types of comic styles from all types of people without having to worry about sensitive discussed in a disrespectful manner. While no space can be totally safe, people that behave this way are usually banned. Vomity Audience members feel safe and comfortable to open a dialogue (or groan, or boo ) should anything too offensive be said on stage.
It is said this environment is rare. Vomity is not a room of comics waiting for a big break. They make no money at Le Voyeur (though donations are accepted for traveling comics and bigger featured guests) The prize, is to see your friends and get better at comedy. The wonderful audience provides an outlet for the comedians. The audience has fun because the comics have fun.
When people dream of “making it big” they talk of moving to New York or Los Angeles. Sam Miller, the host and creator of Vomity wants to make Olympia big. He promotes local comics and brings bigger names into Olympia and there is certainly a community forming. The comics at Vomity are mostly friends on and off the stage which provides support for the comics and their rapport gives the room a friendly feel. People are able to do comedy and hang out with friends. They made it.
The fun at Vomity is not exclusive to its current comedy friends. The more seasoned comics are usually welcoming and supportive to new comics going on stage for the first time. They can usually be found hanging out before or after shows getting some tips or advice after the show and exchanging ideas. They are encouraged to come back and try again. As one comic said “I treat everyone that comes in like they are the next big star, the friendships I make in this community are most important to me.”
Simply wanting everyone to have fun and do comedy seems to be a working formula. Vomity is growing every week. An average of thirty comics sign up weekly, more guests from other cities come in and the seats are always packed with people as is the back of Le Voyeur. It is growing so quickly, that it may need to expand to another night so everyone that wants can have a chance to go up.
“I like what I’m seeing, people are excited, and it’s growing. Comedy is hard but the people support each other and have a good time,” says Miller.
With all the extra events that Vomity has created more people will get their chance to experience it. Look forward to other special comedy shows featuring Vomity comedians in different spots around Olympia. The next event is The Bubblegum Garbage Party on September 4th at 10 pm. where live interviews for a San Francisco based podcast will take place as well as improv and stand up comedy.
See you there!
Erin Thomas is a contributer for Beat Route Calgary, lit fiction writer, comic maker and stand up comedy enthusiast.
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